Action Items for Week of 1/30/17

Monday January 30: Calls against the Immigration Ban-

On Friday, Trump signed an executive order banning citizens from 7 Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for the next 90 days. Further, it suspends entry of all refugees for the next 120 days and stops the admission of Syrian refugees indefinitely. “Trump also established a religious test for refugees from Muslim nations: He ordered that Christians and others from minority religions be granted priority over Muslims” reports the New York Times.

Refugees who have already completed the long vetting process and prepared for travel have been told they can’t come. Student, scientists, engineers and family members who are legal permanent residents of the US but were abroad on Friday are now finding they cannot return home. This ban hurts the most vulnerable in the world and damages our vibrant multicultural communities across the country.

Your script:

I’m calling to tell [Senator] that our community does not support Trump’s Muslim ban, and we expect him to take an immediate stand against this unjust executive order.

[Optional: add anything else you’d like here]

Thank you for your time.

Tuesday January 31: Affordable Care Act

Oppose the repeal of the Affordable Care Act

Senate Republicans are wasting no time and already taking steps to repeal The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. By repealing the ACA with no replacement legislation, millions of Americans will lose their health care coverage, community health clinics will lose funding and be shuttered, and the lack new legislations could create instability and chaos in the healthcare insurance industry. Tell your Senator that repeal without replacement is irresponsible and wrong. #ShowUsTheBill

Your script:

I’m calling to tell [Senator’s Name] that I strongly oppose repealing The Affordable Care Act without suitable replacement legislation. The ACA has helped millions of Americans gain access to health coverage, including my friends and family.

[Optional: add anything else you wish to say here, especially if you have a story about how the ACA has helped you, your family or friends]

Please tell [Senator’s Name] not to support repeal without replacement.

Thank you for your time.

San Antonio Lamar Smith office visit: We will be meeting at 9am at Jim’s Restaurant (Loop 410 and Broadway) to discuss and plan our visit to his office at 11am. At 10:45am we will meet outside of Lamar Smith’s office at 1100 NE Loop 410 for pictures before heading inside to suite 640 at 11am. This will be week 3 of our demands to support the ACA, and to come back to his district and meet with his constituents.

Voter Fraud: Trump is calling for a “massive investigation” into the nonexistent “illegals” who cast votes in November. He and his surrogates have gone on to say that this illusory voter fraud happens mainly in “inner cities” and that’s where they will focus their attention. This is yet more not-so-subtle racist rhetoric from a man and an administration that automatically assumes any areas, like large cities, with high minority populations must be full of criminals.

Not only will this investigation find nothing – as every other voter fraud investigation has – it will waste money and resources that should be focused on uncovering the truth behind Russia’s hacking of the DNC and interference in the 2016 presidential election.

At the state level, this investigation will be used as fuel by Republican legislators to enact even more and harsher voter ID laws restricting Americans’ constitutionally mandated right to vote. These laws are targeted at the young, poor, and minorities – all groups who tend to vote Democratic – in an attempt to suppress turnout. More than one Republican lawmaker has said that voter ID laws will directly help them and their candidates win by keeping legally-eligible voters from the polls.

I’m calling today because I’m worried about Trump’s call for an investigation into supposed voter fraud in the presidential election. There is zero evidence for his claims, but his rhetoric is undermining Americans’ trust in their electoral system, laying the groundwork for unnecessary and restrictive voter ID laws.

Can you please tell Representative Smith that I expect him to publicly stand up for all Americans and call for an end to Trump’s baseless attack on our right to vote.

Thank you for your time.

Prevent the Confirmation of Jeff Sessions for Attorney General

Senator Jeff Sessions was denied a Federal Judgeship by the Senate 30 years ago due to allegations of racism. He career has been defined by his lack support for immigration reform, rejection of marriage equality and civil liberties for the LGBTQ community, and believing the Constitution does not require a separation of Church and State. Sessions will not serve in the interests of all Americans and should not be confirmed.

The Senate Judiciary Committee was scheduled to vote on the conformation of Sessions on January 24th, but it was pushed back to Tuesday January 31st. Now is the time to call your members of congress and demand they reject Sessions for Attorney General.

Your script:

I’m calling to express my deep opposition to the confirmation of Jeff Sessions for Attorney General.

May I ask how [Senator’s Name] will be voting?

[If NO for Confirmation]: Please tell the Senator thank you for listening to their constituents. Have a good day.

[If YES for Confirmation]: Senator Sessions has a long history of allegations of racism, does not support equal rights for the LGBTQ community, and has not enforced the Voting Rights Act. He will not protect all of the people of the United States. I urge the Senator to reconsider their position and reject the confirmation. I will remember [Senator’s Name] stance in the next election.

[Optional: add anything else you wish to say here]

Thank you for your time.

Thursday February 2: Trump’s cabinet pick Betsy Devos-

Oppose Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education

Billionaire Betsy DeVos, one of Trump’s major donors, is a long-time advocate for school voucher programs. These programs take taxpayer money away from the public school system and place it into the hands of for-profit private and religious schools. She has no experience as an educator and has never worked in a classroom. Teachers unions do not support her, as they see her as an attack on the public educational system.

DeVos’ readiness for the job of Secretary of Education came under question after her committee hearing on January 17th, where she demonstrated a lack of understanding of basic educational policy. Additionally, paperwork filed last week by DeVos to the Office of Governmental Ethics show concern for financial conflicts of interest, which forced the committee vote to be delayed until January 31st.

Hi, my name is [Name] and I’m a concerned constituent from [City, TX, Zip].

I’m calling to express my deep opposition to the confirmation of Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education.

May I ask how [Senator’s Name] will be voting?

[If NO for Confirmation]: Please tell the Senator thank you for listening to their constituents. Have a good day.

[If YES for Confirmation]: Betsy DeVos has no experience in the public school system she would be overseeing. I urge the Senator to reconsider their position and reject DeVos’ confirmation. I will remember [Senator’s Name] stance in the next election.

[Optional: add anything else you wish to say here, if you have children mention how this would affect you]

Thank you for your time.

Friday February 3: Building the Texas/Mexico border wall-

Say NO to a Border Wall

Trump is setting the tone for the next 4 years by making good on his most inflammatory promises, to build a wall along the border with Mexico and violate the sovereignty of cities that have declared themselves sanctuaries for millions of immigrants from all backgrounds and circumstances. The Wall is a symbol of racist rhetoric, drawing from failed draconian immigration laws, while also footing taxpayers with a bill that could cost nearly three times what the GOP claims. In addition, complications are expected to ensue based on the president’s past history of failed construction, violated contracts and bankruptcy.

Additionally, Mexico’s President, Enrique Peña Nieto, canceled a scheduled trip to meet with Trump citing outrage of the proposed construction of a border wall while reconfirming Mexico will not pay it. Mexico is a critical ally for the US, and the creation of this serious rift is not in our best interests.

I’m calling today because I’m concerned by Trump’s dangerous executive order to build a wall along our Mexican border. The wall is a logistical nightmare that would waste billions of taxpayer dollars better spent on healthcare, education or other infrastructure projects to keep American families safe.

[Optional: add any other comments, especially if you have a personal story about immigration]

Can you please tell [Senator/Rep’s Name] I expect them to reject the building of a Mexican border wall.